MPs Ask Rival To Step Down For Kazibwe

Staff Writer

2 years ago

MPs Ask Rival To Step Down For Kazibwe

Legislators led by the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga have thrown their weight behind the candidature of the former Vice President, Dr. Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe for the contested African Union (AU) job.

Dr. Kazibwe is facing a stiff competition from two rivals for the AU commission chairperson to replace Dlamini Zuma. The other competitors include; Agapito Mba Mokuy, the foreign minister of Equatorial Guinea and Dr Pelomi Venson-Moitoi, the foreign affairs minister of Botswana.

During her courtesy call to the Speaker, Monday morning, MPs who attended the meeting said they are lobbying to ensure that Dr. Venson Moitoi, who is the choice for South Africa region steps down for Dr Kazibwe.

“We must speak as one voice because its one candidate that we have here and our research has proved that she is solid. In fact, we want to lobby to ensure that the South African region candidate (Moitoi) steps down for our candidate (Kazibwe) so that we remain with only the Central African candidate (Mokuy),” Elijah Okupa, Kasilo County MP said.

Okupa immediately received the backing of the Speaker Kadaga who was flanked by top government officials such as; Government Chief Whip, Ruth Nankabirwa, Lands Minister Betty Amongi, KCCA minister Betty Kamya, State minister for Housing, Chris Baryomunsi, Parliamentary Commissioner Cecilia Ogwal among others.

However, the legislators did not reveal how or if this move will yield positive results.

In her speech, Kazibwe said that she is a great mobiliser with full potential to take Africa to greater heights especially as far as peace and security in the continent is concerned. She asked members of the 10th parliament to rally behind and popularize her candidature.

“Among other qualifications that I possess, I have been at the cabinet and recently the president sponsored for further studies. I believe I will be able to use these team building skills to put Africa in a better place,” Kazibwe said.

“I have no fears about the capacity of this parliament to mobilize for me. And that is why I need a blessing from this parliament because the work of Africa needs the parliament of African countries,”

Before endorsing Kazibwe, Speaker Rebecca said there is no doubt that former and first female vice president is the ‘best’ candidate in the race considering her remarkable qualifications.

“With your manifesto, I don’t think other candidates are competing. But my appeal is that when you are voted, start with infrastructure of Africa,” Kadaga said, adding that it is crazy to see that before one flies to an African country, they first pass through Europe.

With barely a month to the polling date to be held at the 27th African Union ordinary summit in Kigali, Rwanda between July 10-18, Kazibwe has reportedly secured backing from more than 10 countries – all from eastern Africa and is pushing for more support from West Africa that has no candidate. As soon as the meeting ended, Kazibwe was escorted to Entebbe Airport for another campaign trip in Ghana.